Watch Knight Rider

In 2008, a new iteration of the beloved 1980s TV series Knight Rider was released as a made-for-TV movie. Starring Justin Bruening, Deanna Russo, and Sydney Tamiia Poitier, this updated version of the classic story follows Mike Traceur (Bruening), the estranged son of original protagonist Michael Knight. The movie opens with Mike getting caught up in a high-speed chase with a group of criminals. He's eventually captured and taken to a secret government facility, where he meets his old flame Sarah Graiman (Russo) - who, it turns out, has been working on a revolutionary new piece of technology called the Knight Industries Three Thousand, or KITT for short. KITT is a state-of-the-art car that can drive itself, communicate with its driver, and even hack into other computer systems.

Sarah and her father Charles (played by the original Knight Rider, David Hasselhoff) want Mike to help them test drive KITT and put it through its paces. Mike is initially reluctant, but he eventually agrees to help Sarah when he realizes that KITT could be a valuable asset in taking down the criminal organization that was after him earlier.

From there, the movie follows Mike and KITT as they embark on various action-packed missions - from fighting off assassins and taking down drug smugglers, to thwarting the plans of a corrupt government agent who wants to use KITT for his own nefarious purposes. Along the way, Mike and Sarah must navigate their complicated relationship and deal with the emotional baggage of their past.

One of the biggest draws of this updated Knight Rider is the technology behind KITT. The car itself is a sleek, futuristic model with all sorts of bells and whistles - not to mention the fact that it's voiced by none other than Val Kilmer. KITT's AI is one of the most impressive parts of the movie, with the car able to analyze situations and hack into systems with ease. There are also some fun Easter eggs for fans of the original series - for example, KITT's dashboard is adorned with the iconic red scanner light, which is sure to give viewers a nostalgic rush.

Despite its high-tech trappings, however, at its core Knight Rider is still an action movie. There are plenty of car chases, shootouts, and explosions to keep audiences on the edge of their seats. The film's pacing is tight and thrilling, with nary a lull in the action. And while some of the set pieces are undoubtedly over-the-top, they're all in service of the movie's larger-than-life, popcorn flick sensibility.

One of the most impressive aspects of Knight Rider is its cast. Bruening is a charismatic lead, able to convey both Mike's tough exterior and his inner turmoil. Russo is equally engaging as Sarah, managing to hold her own in a movie that's largely dominated by men. Poitier is a standout as FBI agent Carrie Rivai, who gets caught up in Mike and KITT's mission and proves to be a worthy addition to the team.

Overall, Knight Rider serves as a fun and action-packed update to the beloved original series. While it certainly doesn't reinvent the wheel, it's a worthy addition to the Knight Rider canon that's sure to please both diehard fans and newcomers alike.